The Winter Showcase

Kennedy friends and family gathered in the auditorium last night to watch many of our musical ensembles, along with two of our choirs perform in Kennedy’s 5th annual Winter Showcase. Opening the night was one of Kennedy’s two jazz bands. Jazz Two began the performance with an upbeat tune called Good King Wenceslas.

As we conversed with a few of the band, choir, and orchestra members, they expressed how ecstatic they were for the performance. When we asked why, most said because it was the first concert of the year. “Yeah I’m excited. It’s my first Wind Symphony concert,” says freshman, Cora Johansen. Cora plays the Bass Clarinet in the elite band ensemble, Wind Symphony. In addition to this being her first concert as a Wind Symphony member, it’s also  her first concert performance as a part of the Kennedy band program. Many students agreed with her in saying they were ‘pumped’ to play.

Not only was this an exciting night for the musicians in the band, but also for our directors, specifically student teacher, Mr. McClurg. He has been a student teacher here at Kennedy since August. Mr. McClurg has helped the band in various ways, like preparing for marching band competitions and perfecting the music for marching band. Mr. McClurg announced he will be parting ways with Kennedy to return to his classes at Coe College. So, as a farewell, we invited him to direct two of the ensembles. I posed the question to him, asking if he was excited to conduct for the first time. “Yes, I’m jumping up and down inside right now,” he answered.

After the concert many students talked about their opinions on how they performed and how the music sounded as a whole. Freshman, Felicity Lehr had something to say, “I squeaked a lot. I don’t think I sounded good,” she confessed. Felicity plays clarinet in Concert Band, she has played since middle school and “was surprised when it happened.” Alex Jackson, a senior flutist here at Kennedy commented, “I heard some wrong notes. But it could’ve gone worse, my pants could’ve fallen down.” He tells us, in the middle of his first performance his dress pants broke. Despite a few complications, everyone sounded and looked amazing!

Apart from the bands, the choirs performed well too. Concert Choir and Chamber Choir got us into the holiday spirit by singing some festive carols! Such as Caroling Caroling, Gloria, Silently, Oh Holy Night and Laudate Dominum. A solo was sang in Laudate Dominum by Katie O’Connell.

Along with the musical treat, there was a fundraiser and a raffle basket. The funds that were donated all went to the band, orchestra, and choir departments. The fundraiser specifically went to help pay for band fees. Such as uniforms, instruments, honor bands, and the California trip students will be taking later this year. The raffle basket fundraising was divided amongst the three musical departments. This money will go forth to help pay for transportation, uniforms and other things pertaining to the musical wing.

After the performances, we decided to ask the directors of the groups about how they felt the performance went. We asked the choir director, Storm Zeigler, what he liked about it, he said “Everyone sounded amazing!” We also asked band director, Lesly Fleer, how she thought the night went and she replied with, “I think we rocked it!” While walking through the halls after the show, we overheard many families complimenting the groups. Great job band, choir, and orchestra! Until next time!

Percussionist, Ethan Head, plays Rhythm of The Winds on

the Timpani in Symphonic Band. Photo by Areigna Ralston.

Student teacher, Garrett McClurg, conducts Concert Band and Symphonic Band as they play Jingle Bells. Photo by Areigna Ralston. 

If you enjoyed this concert, we are happy to invite you back here in March of 2019. The next showcase is the Band Carnival. Here, the Kennedy band will perform, as well as some of the middle school bands. There will be music, food, and games! See you then!